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PHOTOS from "Matilda the Musical" at Pleasant Valley Productions

By John Posada

originally published: 07/16/2022


(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Pleasant Valley Productions is presenting Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical July 15-16 and July 22-23 - each night at 8:00pm - at Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center in West Orange.  The production is directed by Elizabeth Rogers, music directed by Daniel Mullen, and choreographed by Nicole Boscarino.  Photographer John Posada was on hand to take some photos.

Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts and could be the school pupil’s saving grace!

The cast (in alphabetical order) - Emma-Rylie Casper, Dominic Crisonino, Juliana Curcio, Sarah Decker, Marissa Gabrielson, Selina Ghosh, Elizabeth Gillen, Susan Hagen, Fabian Hattem, Cory Herbert, Frank James, Andrew Kapferer,  Natalie Kapferer, Ana Knezevic, Richard Leit, Cassandra Lindeblad, Sean Lynch-Littlejohn, Vin Macri, Sherry Mayce,  Emerson Meakem, Danielle Meola Valencia, Grace Pages, Cristina Patrao, Evie Reyes, Noelle Santosuosso, David Simon, and Marissa Tufaro.

General Admission are $10.00 and available at the gate, which opens at 7:30pm.  Bring a lawn chair.  Food concessions are available at each performance.

 




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Matilda the Musical is a musical based on the 1988 children's novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The play features a book by Dennis Kelly; music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.  The musical had its Broadway premiere at the Shubert Theatre on April 11, 2013.  It took home 5 Tony Awards that year.

Here are more photos from the production.

The Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center is located at 4 Boland Drive in West Orange, New Jersey.

Pleasant Valley Productions (“PVP”) was formed in 2012 as an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community theatre company. Based in West Essex County, they observed that their area of New Jersey had no theatre companies that focused on mentoring local youth in the technical and administrative, as well as the artistic aspects, of theatrical production. Keeping that in mind, their goals are to produce quality productions, mentor the development of young people in the technical, administrative, and artistic roles of a theatre and to develop new works and provide a platform for their expression.


ALL PHOTOS BY JOHN POSADA - If your theatre company is interested in having John Posada cover your plays, contact New Jersey Stage at [email protected].  He has taken photos during live performances and dress rehearsals.

About the author:

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.





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EVENT PREVIEWS

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Park Theater Company (APTCo) has announced that its first mainstage production under newly appointed Producing Artistic Director Nate Patten will be The Wolves, Sarah DeLappe's Pulitzer Prize finalist play that has captivated audiences across the country with its sharp wit, emotional honesty, and unforgettable portrait of young women finding their voices.
Ferrell Studios Community Theatre presents "Merrily We Roll Along"

Ferrell Studios Community Theatre presents "Merrily We Roll Along"

(METUCHEN, NJ) -- Ferrell Studios Community Theatre, a nonprofit theatre organization serving Central New Jersey, announces its upcoming production of Merrily We Roll Along, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth. The production will close the company's 2025-26 season, themed "Our Time," with five performances at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Auditorium in Metuchen, NJ from August 20-23, 2026.

Main Street Theatre Company presents "Pippin"

(OLD BRIDGE, NJ) -- Main Street Theatre Company presents the musical, Pippin, across two weekends from August 15-23, 2026. There's magic to do when a prince learns the true meaning of glory, love and war in Stephen Schwartz's iconic and unforgettable musical masterpiece.

Ritz Theatre Company presents 2026 One-Act Play Festival

(HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The Ritz Theatre Company presents their 2026 One-Act Play Festival from August 28-29. The festival features one-act comedies from practicing and promised playwrights from around the world!

Brundage Park Playhouse presents "Anything Goes"

(RANDOLPH, NJ) -- Brundage Park Playhouse presents Anything Goes across two weekends from August 21-30, 2026. Set sail aboard the S.S. America before the end of summer with a dazzling production of the classic musical comedy.
McCarter Theatre presents the Octopus Theatricals Production of "All The Devils Are Here"

McCarter Theatre presents the Octopus Theatricals Production of "All The Devils Are Here"

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre presents the Octopus Theatricals Production of All The Devils Are Here from August 19-30, 2026.  Learn how Shakespeare invented the villain in a play created and performed by Patrick Page. The production is directed by Simon Godwin.

George Street Playhouse presents "Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares"

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares - a comedy show with original songs from August 26-30, 2026. Direct from an acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe and two sold-out Off-Broadway engagements comes this one-woman comedy show from the mind of Tony Award® winner Laura Benanti.
Surflight Theatre presents "1776, the Musical"

Surflight Theatre presents "1776, the Musical"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Witness the birth of a nation as our forefathers struggle to craft the Declaration of Independence when Surflight Theatre presents 1776, the Musical from August 18-30, 2026.

Spring Lake Theatre Company presents "Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret"

(SPRING LAKE, NJ) -- Spring Lake Theatre Company presents two performances of Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret from August 29-30, 2026. This is a one-act play from the experiences of America's longest war, blending heartfelt storytelling with a unique cast of combat veterans and military family members.
Bell Theater at Bell Works presents Broadway Sings for Aaron Lazar on August 31

Bell Theater at Bell Works presents Broadway Sings for Aaron Lazar on August 31

(HOLMDEL, NJ) -- In 2022, as the world was finally coming out of COVID-19, Aaron Lazar was invited to return to the stage to lead the cast of The Bridges of Madison County, playing opposite Kate Baldwin at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal. Just days into rehearsal, Lazar received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurological disease with no known cure. Thus began Lazar's "extraordinary" journey.
 

FEATURED EVENTS


Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Saturday, August 15, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Saturday, August 15, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical

Sunday, August 16, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, NJ


Premiere Stages to present a Staged Reading of "At Liberty Hall"

Sunday, August 16, 2026 @ 3:00pm
Liberty Hall Museum
1003 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ


All The Devils Are Here

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ



 

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